San Francisco Revival

Mission Housing Development Corp..

Back in 2019, we were watching this City—our City—go through some major shifts driven by the impacts of gentrification, displacement, and tech. So we launched a podcast called San Francisco inFLUX. Our goals with that project were to explore the complex dynamics of this transformation—It was about understanding the real forces behind this change—forces that were reshaping the culture, pushing out long-time communities, and leaving a lot of us wondering where we fit in. We highlighted the people and stories that weren’t getting the spotlight and really dug into what’s current and next for the people who make this place home. Since then, our City has continued to be upended by the ever-present impacts of gentrification, and our already deep social inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Look, our City has seen better days, we’re grappling with challenges that don’t have easy answers– but what we’ve noticed about the prevailing narrative is that it paints a hopeless picture that’s quite anxious and dystopian. This way of viewing San Francisco is somewhat fair, but it stifles aspirations, leads to feelings of apathy, and disengages the very people– us – who should be working together to find solutions. Here’s the thing—we know San Francisco still has something special. It’s got us. We’re resilient, compassionate at heart, and familiar with the pavement. We can turn this around. So that’s why we’re hyped to announce that we’re shifting gears. We’re relaunching the podcast under a new name: San Francisco Revival. We’re focusing on the movements, the stories, and the people who are *actively* pushing back against the doom and gloom. We’re providing words of resilience, healing, and hope. We’re not going to let anyone write us off. Let’s get to work on the City’s Comeback Story. This is San Francisco Revival, a Mission Housing podcast.

  1. JAN 29

    Oscar Grande on organizing, equity & San Francisco's soul

    In this powerful episode of San Francisco Revival, Mission Housing sits with longtime community organizer and city planner Oscar Grande for a wide-ranging conversation on organizing, equity, and the soul of San Francisco. Oscar traces his journey from growing up as the Salvadoran son of unionized immigrant parents to becoming a central figure in some of San Francisco’s most consequential housing and anti-displacement battles. He reflects on how environmental justice organizing, cultural identity, and cross-racial coalition building shaped his approach to movement work—especially during the dot-com boom and the fight against gentrification in the Mission District. The conversation dives deeply into landmark campaigns like “The Monster in the Mission” and Casa Adelante at Chancaján Park, unpacking how community-led visions transformed parking lots and proposed luxury developments into affordable housing, public space, and cultural landmarks. Oscar emphasizes the importance of joy, creativity, and cultural grounding in organizing, alongside hard strategy and power analysis. Now working within city government, Oscar shares a candid perspective on what equity actually means inside municipal planning—and why real equity requires authentic partnerships, shared decision-making, and resourcing community leadership. He also reflects on San Francisco today: its struggles, its resilience, and the urgent need to address addiction, displacement, and generational wealth with dignity and compassion. The episode closes on a lighter but deeply personal note, as Oscar talks about biking as liberation, his favorite routes through San Francisco’s industrial neighborhoods, and how joy, movement, and love for the city continue to fuel his work. Chapters (01:05) Introduction & Oscar Grande’s Roots Oscar shares his background as the child of Salvadoran immigrants, the influence of unions, and how privilege and responsibility shaped his path into organizing. (10:55) Environmental Justice & Becoming an Organizer From PODER to the dot-com era, Oscar explains how environmental justice, culture, and political education informed his organizing philosophy. (13:13) The Monster in the Mission A deep dive into the iconic fight against a massive market-rate development at 16th & Mission—and how a multiracial coalition stopped it. (27:10) From Fighting “Against” to Building “For” Why campaigns like Plaza 16 and Casa Adelante succeeded by offering a visionary alternative rooted in community needs. (31:52) Casa Adelante & Chancaján Park How a gray parking lot became a Mayan-named park and 120 units of affordable housing—and what it teaches about long-term movement building. (36:43) Equity Inside City Government Oscar reflects on moving from organizing into the Planning Department and what real equity looks like beyond buzzwords. (50:06) San Francisco Today: Struggle, Joy, and Solidarity Thoughts on housing, addiction, generational wealth, and why the city is not in decline—but in constant transformation. (01:02:00) Biking, Joy, and Loving the City Oscar shares his favorite bike routes through San Francisco and how biking represents freedom, healing, and connection. -- San Francisco Revival, Oscar Grande, Mission District organizing, affordable housing San Francisco, anti-displacement movement, Monster in the Mission, Plaza 16 campaign, community planning equity, San Francisco activism, housing justice, environmental justice organizing, Latino organizers San Francisco, Mission Housing Development Corporation, grassroots organizing strategies, equity in city government

    1h 5m
  2. JAN 15

    Jorge Rivas Jr.: A protective voice for San Francisco's immigrant communities

    In this episode of The San Francisco Revival, Mission Housing sits down with Jorge Rivas Jr., Executive Director of San Francisco’s Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA), for a timely and deeply personal conversation about immigrant safety, civic trust, and resilience in San Francisco. Rivas addresses the fear many immigrant communities are experiencing amid heightened federal immigration enforcement, clarifying what sanctuary city policies can—and cannot—do, and urging residents to continue accessing city services without fear. The conversation explores how language access, legal services, mental health support, housing stability, and economic opportunity are all inseparable from immigrant safety. Rivas explains OCEIA’s role as a bridge between City Hall and immigrant communities, highlights the work of the Immigrant Rights Commission, and names critical gaps that still require investment, especially in legal defense, workforce pathways, and trauma-informed care. Drawing from his own family’s immigration story, Rivas reflects on leadership, responsibility, and hope—pointing to San Francisco’s shared values, the emergence of young immigrant leaders, and the city’s enduring commitment to standing with immigrant neighbors as sources of strength during uncertain times. CHAPTERS (00:01) – Immigrant Safety & the Limits of Sanctuary City Policies Jorge Rivas Jr. explains why many immigrants feel unsafe despite San Francisco’s sanctuary status and clarifies what local government can and cannot protect against. (02:53) – Immigration Court, ICE Check-Ins & Legal Preparedness A discussion on the growing risks immigrants face at hearings and check-ins, and why legal guidance and remote options are critical. (05:30) – Language Access as a Foundation for Trust How San Francisco’s Language Access Ordinance helps immigrant residents safely access city services and build trust with government. (09:10) – The Role of the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs Rivas describes OCEIA’s position within city government and its role as a bridge between immigrant communities and City Hall. (11:19) – Service Gaps: Legal Defense, Mental Health & Economic Stability An overview of unmet needs in immigrant communities, including trauma, employment disruptions, and workforce access. (13:35) – Fear, Civic Participation & Accessing City Hall How fear of enforcement is suppressing civic engagement—even around housing advocacy and public hearings. (18:20) – Immigrants’ Economic & Cultural Contributions to San Francisco Rivas outlines immigrants’ role in the workforce, tax base, and the cultural vibrancy of San Francisco neighborhoods. (23:18) – Shared Values, Young Leadership & Sources of Hope A reflection on why emerging immigrant leaders and San Francisco’s collective values offer optimism during uncertain times. (27:45) – A Personal Immigration Story & the Responsibility of Leadership Rivas shares his family’s farmworker roots and how his lived experience shapes his leadership today. (35:30) – Resources, Advocacy & Staying Informed Current city initiatives, legal resources, fundraising efforts, and guidance for immigrant families navigating enforcement risks. RESOURCES SF Immigrant Forum: Centralized hub for immigrant legal services, housing resources, preparedness tools, webinars, and community updates Immigrant Rights Commission (San Francisco) – Advisory body to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors representing immigrant community needs Stand Together Bay Area Fund – Regional fundraising effort supporting organizations assisting families impacted by immigration enforcement

    39 min
  3. JAN 13

    Andrea Reyes of CARECEN: Know Your Rights; Standing up to ICE

    Power Not Panic: Know Your Rights with Andrea Reyes | San Francisco Revival Podcast In this urgent and empowering episode of San Francisco Revival, we sit down with Andrea Reyes, an immigration attorney at CARECEN SF (Central American Resource Center), to discuss the critical legal rights immigrants have—regardless of status—in the U.S.  Andrea shares insights from her decade of experience in deportation defense, offers practical guidance for dealing with ICE at home, in public, or at work, and unpacks the reality behind “sanctuary city” protections in San Francisco. She also talks about the red cards that can protect you in immigration encounters and how everyday allies can support community defense efforts. This episode is a must-listen for immigrants, advocates, and allies alike. Knowledge is power—and in uncertain times, asserting your rights can be your strongest defense.  👉 Learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your community. 👉 Find out what "Power Not Panic" means in the face of unjust systems. 👉 Share this episode with anyone who may need to hear it. 🔗 Resources mentioned: ILRC Red Cards (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) 📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode. CHAPTERS (01:20) The emotional toll of immigration advocacy (02:53) Where hope comes from amid fear (05:06) Disclaimer: Informational purposes only (06:00) Your rights if stopped by ICE or police (07:05) Right to remain silent & warrant protocol (09:16) How to respond to ICE at your door (10:40) Using red cards to assert your rights (12:00) What to do if approached in public (12:49) Where to get red cards & multilingual options (14:10) ICE raids at the workplace – Know your protections (16:25) Documenting ICE encounters safely (18:41) Role of allies and community rapid response (20:09) What sanctuary city policies really mean (22:13) Community trust and law enforcement (23:55) Andrea’s path into immigration law (27:04) Advice for future lawyers and advocates (28:57) The weight of legal advocacy in immigrant defense (30:37) Racism, classism & the “Gold Card” contradiction (32:25) Fighting back despite overwhelming policies (33:54) What fuels Andrea’s hope and determination (36:02) Most rewarding parts of the work (39:14) Outro and call to action

    41 min
  4. JAN 13

    Tania Estrada of the Women's Building: Intersectional challenges facing women in San Francisco

    For over 40 years, The Women’s Building in San Francisco has stood as more than a landmark —i t’s been a sanctuary and a beacon for women, immigrants, and marginalized communities. In this episode of San Francisco Revival, Mission Housing sits down with Tania Estrada, Executive Director of The Women’s Building, to explore her inspiring journey from volunteer to organizational leader. Tania opens up about the intersectional challenges facing women in San Francisco — from housing insecurity and displacement to underreported violence and immigration fears. She also offers insight into the building’s bold new decarbonization initiative and its evolving role as a hub for resilience, advocacy, and connection. 🎙️ Tune in to hear why Tania believes “resilience is already in the room,” and what it takes to build a city rooted in equity, collective strength, and hope. CHAPTERS (01:28) – From Volunteer to Executive Director Tania shares her path to leadership and the values that have grounded her work. (05:30) – The Awe of The Women’s Building Reflections on the iconic murals and the building’s symbolism. (06:00) – Safe Spaces for Global Communities How The Women’s Building serves diverse, multilingual, and immigrant women. (07:40) – Unstoppable: Celebrating Collective Strength An inside look at the May 16 event celebrating women and community resilience. (09:05) – Rooted in the Mission District The deep ties between The Women’s Building and the Latinx community in the Mission. (10:45) – The Human Toll of Displacement How gentrification and economic instability impact women and families. (13:53) – Immigration Fear and Hidden Struggles Tania exposes the silent crises of harassment, domestic violence, and housing dependency. (17:10) – A Hub for Hope and Connection The Women’s Building as a launchpad for advocacy, healing, and collective services. (20:00) – Where Tania Finds Hope Future generations, daily community resilience, and a commitment to staying present. (23:50) – Advice for Young Leaders and Activists Tania encourages new generations to lean into service, even when the risks are high. (27:30) – If She Had a Policy Lever… Tania’s two urgent priorities: immigration reform and universal childcare. (30:20) – Electrifying the Future: Decarbonization and Resilience The Women’s Building goes green and positions itself as a post-disaster community hub. (34:50) – A Long-Term Vision for the Building Infrastructure, legacy, and environmental justice aligned for the next generation. (35:30) – Final Thoughts and Event Reminder Closing gratitude and a reminder to join Unstoppable: The Power of Collective Strength on May 16.

    36 min
  5. JAN 13

    Fatima Ramirez formerly of Acción Latina: An equitable future for the Mission

    In a city like San Francisco, cultural arts and community media are tools for civic engagement, people empowerment and community healing. Organizations who facilitate these things are the spiritual backbone of our neighborhoods. They inspire hope and bring people together to create real change.  No organization in San Francisco or the Mission exemplifies this better, and has performed this service longer at the highest of levels, than the legendary Acción Latina. On this episode of San Francisco Revival, a Mission Housing podcast, we have a heartfelt conversation with Fatima Ramirez, Acción Latina’s outgoing executive director who has led the organization through arguably its toughest era and into a bright, new world of possibilities. We talk to her about the challenges of leading such a historic organization, the advances Acción Latina has made to ensure a more equitable future for the Mission, and we dissect Fatima’s legacy as she turns the page, looking forward to her next chapter. Chapters (03:04) Building Community and Fond Memories (05:53) Celebrating Achievements and Community Impact (09:04) The Importance of Underrepresented Voices (11:49) Legacy and Transition at Acción Latina (15:08) Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic (17:59) Storytelling and Journalism's Evolution (21:10) Milestones and Achievements at Acción Latina (27:45) Building a Legacy Through Philanthropy (29:51) Empowering Artists and Community Impact (32:30) Reflections on Leadership and Legacy (38:53) Navigating Career Choices and Community Responsibility (45:06) Finding Hope and Personal Growth

    50 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Back in 2019, we were watching this City—our City—go through some major shifts driven by the impacts of gentrification, displacement, and tech. So we launched a podcast called San Francisco inFLUX. Our goals with that project were to explore the complex dynamics of this transformation—It was about understanding the real forces behind this change—forces that were reshaping the culture, pushing out long-time communities, and leaving a lot of us wondering where we fit in. We highlighted the people and stories that weren’t getting the spotlight and really dug into what’s current and next for the people who make this place home. Since then, our City has continued to be upended by the ever-present impacts of gentrification, and our already deep social inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Look, our City has seen better days, we’re grappling with challenges that don’t have easy answers– but what we’ve noticed about the prevailing narrative is that it paints a hopeless picture that’s quite anxious and dystopian. This way of viewing San Francisco is somewhat fair, but it stifles aspirations, leads to feelings of apathy, and disengages the very people– us – who should be working together to find solutions. Here’s the thing—we know San Francisco still has something special. It’s got us. We’re resilient, compassionate at heart, and familiar with the pavement. We can turn this around. So that’s why we’re hyped to announce that we’re shifting gears. We’re relaunching the podcast under a new name: San Francisco Revival. We’re focusing on the movements, the stories, and the people who are *actively* pushing back against the doom and gloom. We’re providing words of resilience, healing, and hope. We’re not going to let anyone write us off. Let’s get to work on the City’s Comeback Story. This is San Francisco Revival, a Mission Housing podcast.